Hawaiian Council’s Aloha in Action Benefit Concert brought at least 7,000 attendees to Ko Olina on Thursday, April 23, and proceeds from the event will benefit those impacted by the devastating Kona Low storms.
Kūhiō Lewis, president and CEO of Hawaiian Council, anticipates the event raised approximately $1 million, although final numbers were still being tallied on Friday.
The nine-act concert featured a sunset session with Jason Momoa's band Öof Tatatá, who brought along special guest Kirk Hammett of Metallica. It also included internationally recognized North Shore-based artist Jack Johnson, who performed songs alongside the Nā Hōkū Hanohano-award winning singer and songwriter Kimié Miner, who also had her own set. As the sky darkened and stars came out, Three Plus, The Green and Kolohe Kai took the stage.
The evening started with songs from The Mākaha Sons, who were followed by Amy Hānaialiʻi, the six-time Grammy nominated and 18-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning artist. Hānaialiʻi had actress Maia Kealoha — who played Lilo in Disney’s live action “Lilo & Stitch” — join her on stage to dance hula for the song “Pālehua.”
Hānaialiʻi’s performance was followed by a set from the Osorio ʻOhana. Jonathan Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio, who is also Dean of Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, performed with his children Duncan Kamakana, who was a finalist for Season 4 of “The Voice” in 2014, and Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, an associate professor of Indigenous and Native Hawaiian politics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
“It's always really amazing to get up in front of this many people,” Jonathan Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio told Aloha State Daily from backstage at the concert. “But it's especially important when it's this kind of cause. We're raising money to basically help dig people out from the floods and make things pono.”
Areas beyond Waialua were impacted by the floods, added Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio.
“I'll just say that there's been a lot of coverage for the folks who were affected in Waialua,” Osorio said. “But it wasn't just folks in Waialua who were affected by floods. There are still folks in Waiʻanae and in Nānākuli who have been deeply affected, and, of course in Mokulēʻia, so I just want to send a shout out to those families, and hopefully we can be more broad with our relief efforts and support. And I know Hawaiian Council has been reaching out in those areas too, but I'm hoping more people can send their eyes looking at Waiʻanae and Nānākuli.”
The family also highlighted a desire for systemic change.
“I also say that Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom — and us — we're actually performing songs and we're doing work in the community that's calling attention to the fact that the state government really is not prepared for these kinds of climate disasters,”Jonathan Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio added. “This is not just a fix them as it happens — there has to be fundamental change in the way we live on this land, and the way we use and deploy water here. And Amy said this on the stage. She talked about that. It's a water issue. We think that musicians, artists and the general public really need to put more pressure on the state government to be more proactive.”
The benefit concert was live streamed by KITV. Donations of $250 or more made during the concert were featured on jumbo screens on either side of the stage. The live stream also featured video interviews with individuals impacted by the floods along with messages of support from popular artists not present at the event, such as Stan Walker and Kelly Boy De Lima, one of the founders of Kapena.
“I would say the concert's a lot like the response that we saw from the community,” Kamakana told ASD. “We've got a bunch of different acts from all kinds of backgrounds that just jumped in because there was a need.”
The event took place at the Ko Olina Grand Lawn, near Ulua Lagoon 4. With its proximity to resorts, the event drew a mix of tourists and kamaʻāina, Lewis told ASD. Ko Olina Grand Lawn is located near Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, and Beach Villas at Ko Olina.
“And what I love about it — it’s probably a whole different conversation — but what you have here is visitors and residents hanging out together,” he said. "This is a coming together of both communities, so I think there's something special in that, too.”
The artists taking the stage donated their time. The stage — and its lighting — was also donated by Hawaiʻi Stage, which is owned and operated by the subsidiary of Hawaiian Council. That set-up alone would probably cost about $250,000, Lewis said. The use of the land was also donated, which means parking fees also supported the cause, Lewis explained.
“It's a family friendly event,” Lewis said. “It's been a month since the flood, and people are still like: ʻHow can we help? How can we engage?’ It's really makes you feel proud of being a part of Hawaiʻi.”
To donate to the Kākoʻo Mai Fund, go to hawaiiancouncil.org.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
